Artist of the day: Fowler's Bluff

(Quick programming note: Soundcheck is relaunching "Artist of the Day" as a not-quite-everyday feature. Instead, we'll spotlight an artist or three every week. If you're an artist and you'd like to be considered, drop us an email.)

Fowler's Bluff are the true definition of a Florida band. They're as Southern as Lynyrd Skynyrd, sans the accents and twin lead guitars. Their songs' soundscapes are as expansive as the surrounding gulf, leaning heavily on atmosphere and emotion.

Bassist/vocalist Todd McBride and guitarist George Eckerle have been collaborating since the early '90s on projects like the Boats and Real Shoals. In 2011 they joined with Mike Todd, (keyboards/vocals) and Chad Marin (drums) to form Fowler's Bluff. Their name stems from a town on the Suwannee River that the band visits to recharge their musical batteries.

"We go there to reset ourselves, and remind ourselves what the project is," McBride says. "Then bring it back here and fine-tune, sharpen the edges, rehearse, then share it with the audience."